BHEL, Alstom deal likely for big thermal projects

 "BHEL is preparing to take up 800 MW, supercritical thermal projects for which it is likely to enter into a technical collaboration with a foreign company," Santosh Mohan Dev, minister of state for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, said today.

 According to sources, BHEL had zeroed in on Alstom for equipment to handle the projects. The company was also negotiating with Siemens for the deal, they added.

 A K Puri, CMD of BHEL, said: "We are making an investment of Rs 1,000 crore over the next two and half years. Once the technical collaboration with the foreign company is finalised, we would start bidding for 660 and 800 MW power projects."

 A formal announcement is expected in the next couple of days, he added.